Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/06/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 11/4/23 our vehicle was towed without notice by Summers Towing, allegedly on behalf of The ***** apartment complex. We were at the complex in building 800 to drop off something for our daughter, a resident. We were in the apartment at most a total of 5-7 minutes. When we came out, our vehicle was gone. We went to the leasing office that let us know Summers is who they contract for towing. We call the number immediately and they do have our vehicle. There is no sign in the area where we were that indicated a car would be towed without warning. When the tow truck driver arrived at the facility, we asked to see some sort of paperwork or verification that this is a legal practice and they have the authority to do this. We are from out of state. The tow driver became belligerent and told us he didn’t have to show us anything and he was not releasing our car without cash. Again, we just wanted to see verification this was the legitimate process. He continued to yell and told us to get off of the property if we were not paying. Out of concern, and no proof he had legal basis to take our car and demanding cash, we called the sheriff to determine if this practice was legal. Dispatch said they would call us back. We shared this with driver. He told us we could not be on the property. To “pay or leave.” We explained that the wallet and all of our things were in the car. He let me go back to retrieve our items. We told him we would be back the next day. The sheriff called and told us to go through magistrate. We returned on 11/5 to pick up our vehicle and we’re charged as follows: 50 twice for opening the gate, 14 for gas for a tow that was approximately .5-1 mile away, this is on top of 121.50+fees for towing and an up charge because they were “closed” but clearly operating. Total bill (by their breakdown) should have been 302.54. They would not give us our car, nor the paperwork, until we paid 362.84. The following issues: predatory towing, fraudulent charges

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/30/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates that the business has not responded to you directly.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  At this time, I have not been contacted by Summers Towing and Repair Inc regarding complaint ID ********.
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/06/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My car's engine had stopped working around the end of july start of august. My boyfriend and I called Summers towing for it to be towed to their shop to be looked at. They informed my boyfriend and I that the engine was shot. They asked me what I would like to do about it, I let them know that I do not have the money for it to be fixed but I would like it to be towed back to my house so I can possibly sell it for a little more money so I can get another car. They told me the total for my car being towed to their shop, them looking at it and for it to be towed back to my house would be around 300 dollars. I let them know that it would take me awhile to get the money, due to hours at my job being severely cut due to covid related problems, they said that was perfectly okay and to take my time. I ASKED them if they charged per day and they told me they DO NOT charge per day. I kept in contact with them, calling them frequently to let them know that I still didn't have the money and would notify them when I had it. They said that was okay. Fast forward a few months, still maintaining contact throughout, and I call to let them know I finally had the money. They then told me that they WERE charging me 27 dollars per day this whole time! They told me that I had not maintained contact with them and that it was considered abandoned. Which was a LIE! They told me if I didn't have the money in 3 days they would scrap my car! Then they tried to say that they don't charge per day, if they're working on the car, but they KNEW they would not be working on my car and still told me they weren't charging per day anyways. Then told me they wouldn't let me get the stuff out of my car unless I signed a paper stating that I abandoned it and that they could sue for my title if I didn't bring it in. I want my car back! I will even pay the original price of 300 for it back. I cannot afford the thousands theyre just now asking for. Something must be done about these scam artists.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/20/2023

  To whom it may concern,

  On July 25, 2022, we did tow this car in and check it out for not running. Found the engine was locked up and notified the owner. They requested that we give them a couple days to think about what they wanted to do with the car.

  After a couple weeks we tried to contact the owner but never got a hold of them. The next couple months we tried calling them but were not able to get a hold of them. Then in November of 2022 they called asking about the car. We told them the rate for storage is $27.00 per day. To try to help them out we told them that we would only charge $100.00 per every month that it has been at our shop.

  On December 1, 2022, the customer came to the office and got there personal items out of the car and signed paper work stating they have ten days to pick the vehicle up or we would take ownership of it. The customer did not come back to retrieve their vehicle or to pay for the tow and diagnostic invoice that was owed to us.

  Thank you